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One woman said hand luggage stored in overhead compartments was searched by the cabin crew during the diversion but no weapon was found.

She said: "We weren't aware of trouble until we were told to fasten our seat belts as we were going to experience light turbulence. We were at the front of the plane and the disturbance was at the back.

"After about ten minutes, it became obvious we were descending and the captain said we were landing in Lisbon for a passenger to get off.

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The flight from Edinburgh to Madeira touched in Lisbon amid safety fears

"At first we thought someone was ill but they hadn't asked if anyone medically qualified was on board."

The police entered the rear of the plane and took the passenger off

Witness

After the plane landed in Lisbon, the captain announced that police would be boarding the jet.

The woman said: "The police entered the rear of the plane and took the passenger off before coming back on and taking statements from the pilot and crew."

She added: "Full credit to the captain and crew for their handling of the situation.

"The majority of passengers were not aware of trouble until we were in Lisbon."

The plane finally arrived at Madeira's Funchal airport two hours later than originally scheduled.

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Passengers on board were left panicked as crew searched through lockers whilst the plane descended

A spokeswoman for easyJet apologised to passengers, but said the airline had no alternative but to land in Lisbon.

She said: "EasyJet can confirm that flight EZY6957 from Edinburgh to Funchal on August 1 diverted to Lisbon and was met by police due to a passenger behaving disruptively.

"EasyJet's cabin crew are trained to assess and evaluate all situations and to act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers is not compromised at any time.

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The Portugese authorities later said no firearm had been found

"Whilst such incidents are rare we take them very seriously, do not tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour on board and always push for prosecution.

"We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused."

The Portugese authorities later said no firearm had been found and that a 50-year-old man from Scotland had been detained.